Simple Ways to Provide Summer Reading Support

Summer really is the best time of year! It brings space for family, fun, adventure, rest, and recharging. I wholeheartedly believe that summer should primarily be about these things. However, this season also offers a valuable window for reflection and gentle learning support, especially in the areas of reading and writing.

Without the pressure of new classroom material or packed extracurricular schedules, this season can be the perfect opportunity to step back, observe, and re-engage with your child’s learning in a low-stress way. Even small steps can make a big difference.

Not sure where to begin? I’m here to help! I offer personalized academic screenings over Zoom designed to give you a clear picture of your child’s learning. During our session we’ll work together to identify their strengths, and highlight areas for growth. Together we will build a realistic, customized action plan all while keeping summer balance in mind. For many families, this includes a focused plan for summer reading support to help maintain progress and build confidence.  Click here to book your academic screening today!

Why Summer Reading Matters

Reading is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support academic growth over the summer. Not only does it help maintain the literacy skills your child built during the school year, but it’s also a naturally enjoyable and relaxing activity. You don’t need a strict curriculum to offer meaningful summer reading support. Just encouraging consistent reading can make a big difference!

The beauty of reading is that it strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, imagination, and critical thinking all without the feel of a formal lesson. Even if your child isn’t independently reading yet that’s okay! Reading aloud to them still goes a long way. 

How to Provide Summer Reading Support

Here are a few practical tips to encourage reading in a way that feels fun and sustainable:

1. Encourage Consistency Over Intensity

A little bit every day is better than a lot all at once. Aim for 10–20 minutes of reading per day, depending on your child’s age and attention span. This can be independent reading, reading aloud together, or occasionally listening to audiobooks. For kids who struggle, establishing a consistent time (like right before bed) can make it feel like a cozy routine instead of a chore. If your child begins to resist a routine reading session, take a step back and perhaps slot in some reading when it feels more natural. 

 2. Let Them Choose Books They Enjoy

One of the biggest motivators for children is personal interest. Let your child explore topics and genres they love even if it’s graphic novels, joke books, or books about Minecraft. The more engaged they are, the more likely they’ll want to keep reading. One of my favorite ways to nurture this with my own kids was through regular library visits. It’s truly a wonderful way to give children the freedom to browse, and choose books that interest them.

3. Make it Feel Special

Create a reading nook, start a summer reading challenge, or visit your local library for their summer reading program. You can even make a fun checklist or bingo card with book-related prompts like:

• Read under a tree

• Read a book with a blue cover

• Read to a sibling or pet

• Read while wearing sunglasses

• Read a book by a new-to-you author

• Read a book and then draw your favorite scene

 4. Don’t Forget About Writing and Fine Motor Skills!

While reading is a great primary focus for the summer, it is great to also weave in some writing if you can. Working on writing as well as reading, is a wonderful way to provide summer reading support. Try journaling, comic strips, postcards to family, or writing reviews of books they've read. Keep it light and fun, no pressure. Writing with a pencil versus typing on a computer or iPad is also preferred to continue to work on those fine motor skills! Speaking of fine motor skills, simple crafts can be both an enjoyable and beneficial way to incorporate this. Activities like embroidery, cut-and-paste projects, beading, or clay sculpting are all excellent ways for children to strengthen hand coordination while being creative.

Ready for More Personalized Support?

If you’d like to get a clearer picture of where your child is at with reading and writing, I offer 1:1 academic screenings to assess their current grade level, learning strengths, and areas for support. These informal calls are a great way to better understand your child’s learning profile and feel more confident about how to support them; especially when it comes to providing effective summer reading support.

If you’d like to book an academic screening click here to sign up for a time slot that works for you! During this time, I will assess your child’s abilities and from there we will work together to come up with a plan to support their growth.

Creating a Summer of Reading

Summer shouldn’t mean strict study schedules, but it can be a powerful time to provide some summer reading support in a natural, relaxed way. The key is to find ways to integrate some reading and writing into your summer without being too pushy about it. In my experience, being too forceful often leads to resistance and frustration, which rarely helps in the long run. A light, encouraging approach is far more effective in building lasting literacy habits.

Whether your child is a reluctant reader or an enthusiastic bookworm, a little bit of intentional summer reading support can make a big difference and also set them up for success when school starts again.